The move marks the first collaboration between Google and an automaker, with Google having previously bought pilot vehicles for the program off the showroom floor from various manufacturers, or demonstrating the technology in its own custom-built platform (below).

The addition of 100 Pacifica vans will effectively double Google’s self-driving fleet, with the first of the new vehicles expected to be ready before the end of this year.

“In the coming months, our team will collaborate closely with FCA engineers,” Google said in a prepared statement.

“This experience will help both teams better understand how to create a fully self-driving car that can take you from A to B with the touch of a button.”

While the vehicle’s will be engineered and built by Chrysler, the self-driving system’s will be engineered by Google, and installed into the vehicles by Fiat Chrysler’s engineering team.

Until this point, Fiat Chrysler has been seen to be off the pace in its development of autonomous technologies. However, with FCA CEO, Sergio Marchionne offering to partner with other firms - carmakers, or tech firms - the new agreement puts Fiat Chrysler back in the autonomous race.